The Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) workshop will highlight recent advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and how they are empowering both decision-makers and citizens to play a proactive role in managing disaster risks and providing more effective disaster response. The workshop will build upon experience and expertise in ICTs and DRR by both UNDP and a diverse network of organizations, who have come together over the past several years to train environmental professionals in the field. Combining regional UNDP experience, ICT industry expertise, and accumulated first-hand knowledge by this global community of practice, the workshop will offer both theoretical and practical skills in disaster risk reduction, monitoring, and recovery.

Best practice case studies will be highlighted, through which technologies have been proven to be highly effective tools in disaster management. The transformative digital opportunities provided by the workshop will allow its participants to integrate know-how in a decision-making process, facilitate response and establish multi-stakeholder partnership for regional and global cooperation.

Program themes will include ICTs for DRR, Early Warning Systems, innovations in climate risk management (CRM) and disaster preparedness and response, smart cities, and integration of relevant innovative solutions into sectoral and municipal development. A range of technologies will be presented including remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), big data, citizen science, mobile technologies, data portals, and more.

Target Group

The workshop is targeted at representatives of regional and country offices of UN agencies, National Focal Points of international conventions, relevant government agencies (e.g. Ministries of Emergency Situations, Environment, Communications), researchers and civil society. Proven experience to any aspect of disaster risk reduction, whether in a professional or academic context, is a prerequisite for the workshop.